Day events
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Introduction to Foraging Walk Madeley Staffs CW3 (August 10th 2024)
Are you interested in learning more about edible, medicinal, and useful plants but have no idea where to start? Fancy an introductory leisurely wander rather than a wilderness adventure? How about some wild tea tasting too? This may be the course for you!
Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!
Overview
Join me for a gentle wander around the beautiful historic village of Madeley (CW3) and listen to stories about the plants and trees that grow abundantly in the area. While I do offer courses in more remote locations, as well as wild food cookery experiences for those who are interested, our immediate doorsteps are full of useful wild things to discover and this is a great place to begin our learning journey into the fascinating world of wild plants.
We’ll learn about the history, folklore, and traditions as well as culinary, medicinal, and other uses for a variety of common plants and trees, and hopefully some fungi depending on the season/weather. Where appropriate, we will also discuss recipe ideas, remedies, and other ways to use what we find.
About the walk and what to bring
The walk will take place in and around the village and not require accessing any steep or difficult terrain (mostly pavements, grass, or hard-surfaced lanes) so is suitable for most people with a reasonable level of mobility, but comfortable shoes for walking are recommended, as are clothes suitable for the weather on the day.
We never know what the weather may bring, so please dress appropriately and use waterproofs or sunscreen as required, or both – this is a British summer after all! A water bottle is advised as we will be out for several hours and insect repellent is a good idea. Please also bring a cup for tea tasting.
Other information
The course is run by a qualified, fully insured forager and herbalist who holds current outdoor first aid certification, up-to-date qualifications, and a lifelong knowledge of the area.
This is an educational walk, we won’t be harvesting our finds so please do not bring knives or other sharps with you (knife law will be discussed).
On occasion, your instructor may pick a small sample to pass around the group to smell, feel, or to illustrate identification characteristics, but otherwise please refrain from touching any plants unless advised, some can be rather nasty!
As is the nature of…well, nature…what we find and speak about on the day will be dependent on the season and weather.
On the weather – the course will go ahead in all weathers (unless so severe it would be dangerous). Refunds will, therefore, not be given due to rain or inclement but typical British weather or for bookings cancelled within 72 hours of the day of the course.
Over the course of 3-4 hours we will cover:
- Personal safety when foraging
- Foraging and the law, including the law as it pertains to knives, and land access/trespass laws
- Foraging ettiquette
- Foraging equipment
- Identification, names, & lookalikes
- Umbellifers, fungi, and spotting poisonous plants and fungi
- The secret life of trees and fungi
- Plants, flowers, and grasses for the kitchen and medicines
- Non-edible uses for wild plants
- History, folklore, and interesting facts about plants and the local area
- Basic processing/preserving techniques
- Incorporating a little of the wild into your kitchen, first aid kit, and skincare
- Recommended further reading/research if you wish to learn more
- We will taste some teas made from plants that grow in the village – please bring a cup
- A PDF guide to foraging safely and legally, including information on common useful plants and trees will be emailed to you following the course. If you wish to receive a certificate of attendance, this can also be provided. [Please confirm your name and email address at the end of the day]
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
I kindly request no dogs – as much as mine would love to come! This is simply to ensure the safety and comfort of all group attendees.
The walk will begin and end at a central point in the village. The location will be sent you after booking. We will begin at 11am and finish at around 2.30-3pm.
If you have any questions before or after booking, please get in touch via hello@feraltherapy.co.uk and I will be happy to help.
Book now!
Introduction to Foraging Walk Halmerend Staffs (15th August 2024)
Course date: Thursday 15th August at 11am-3/3.30pm.
Are you interested in learning more about edible, medicinal, and useful plants but have no idea where to start? How about some wild tea tasting too? This may be the course for you!
Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!
Overview
Join me on Thursday 14th August for a gentle wander around the beautiful countryside between the villages outside of Newcastle under Lyme. On this walk we will take in meadows and fields, hedgerows, woodland, and waterside environments.
We’ll learn about the history of the landscape, folklore surrounding the plants that grow there, traditional uses as well as culinary, medicinal, and other uses for a variety of common plants and trees, and hopefully some fungi depending on the season/weather. Where appropriate, we will also discuss recipe ideas, remedies, and other ways to use what we find.
About the walk and what to bring
The walk will take place on unsurfaced tracks, bridlepaths, and footpaths. Terrain will be mixed and sometimes uneven, but is suitable for most people with a reasonable level of mobility and fitness. Comfortable shoes for walking are recommended, as are clothes suitable for the weather on the day.
We never know what the weather may bring, so please dress appropriately and use waterproofs or sunscreen as required, or both – this is a British summer after all! A water bottle is advised as we will be out for several hours and insect repellent is a good idea. Please also bring a cup for tea tasting.
Other information
The course is run by a qualified, fully insured forager and herbalist who holds current outdoor first aid certification, up-to-date qualifications, and a lifelong knowledge of the area.
This is an educational walk, we won’t be harvesting our finds so please do not bring knives or other sharps with you (knife law will be discussed).
On occasion, your instructor may pick a small sample to pass around the group to smell, feel, or to illustrate identification characteristics, but otherwise please refrain from touching any plants unless advised, some can be rather nasty!
As is the nature of…well, nature…what we find and speak about on the day will be dependent on the season and weather.
On the weather – the course will go ahead in all weathers (unless so severe it would be dangerous). Refunds will, therefore, not be given due to rain or inclement but typical British weather or for bookings cancelled within 72 hours of the day of the course.
Over the course of 4 hours we will cover:
- Personal safety when foraging
- Foraging and the law, including the law as it pertains to knives, and land access/trespass laws
- Foraging ettiquette
- Foraging equipment
- Identification, names, & lookalikes
- Umbellifers, fungi, and spotting poisonous plants and fungi
- The secret life of trees and fungi
- Plants, flowers, and grasses for the kitchen and medicines
- Non-edible uses for wild plants
- History, folklore, and interesting facts about plants and the local area
- Basic processing/preserving techniques
- Incorporating a little of the wild into your kitchen, first aid kit, and skincare
- Recommended further reading/research if you wish to learn more
- We will taste some teas made from plants that grow in the village – please bring a cup
- A PDF guide to foraging safely and legally, including information on common useful plants and trees will be emailed to you following the course. If you wish to receive a certificate of attendance, this can also be provided. [Please confirm your name and email address at the end of the day]
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
I kindly request no dogs – as much as mine would love to come! This is simply to ensure the safety and comfort of all group attendees.
The walk will begin and end at a central point near the village. The location will be sent you after booking. We will begin at 11am and finish at around 3pm.
If you have any questions before or after booking, please get in touch via hello@feraltherapy.co.uk and I will be happy to help.
Book now!
Keele Staffs Foraging Walk (August 24th 2024)
Are you interested in learning more about edible, medicinal, and useful plants? Enjoy walking in the woods? How about some wild tea tasting too? This may be the course for you!
Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!
Overview
Join me for a hedgerow and woodland exploration around the beautiful countryside near Keele and listen to stories about the plants and trees that grow abundantly in the area. We’ll walk approximately 5-6 miles, covering tracks, footpaths, and woodland terrains.
We’ll learn about the history, folklore, and traditions as well as culinary, medicinal, and other uses for a variety of common plants and trees, and hopefully some fungi depending on the season/weather. Where appropriate, we will also discuss recipe ideas, remedies, and other ways to use what we find.
About the walk and what to bring
The walk will take place on a variety of terrains. Comfortable, durable shoes for walking on tracks (walking boots are recommended), trails, and open woodland are essential, as are clothes suitable for the weather on the day – layers are good, as are long trousers.
We never know what the weather may bring, so please dress appropriately and bring waterproofs or sunscreen as required, or both – this is a British summer after all! A water bottle is advised as we will be out for several hours and insect repellent is a good idea. Please feel free to bring snacks/packed lunch – all rubbish must be taken with you.
We will be tasting some wild teas made from plants from the area, so please bring a cup/mug with you.
Other information
The course is run by a qualified, fully insured forager and herbalist who holds current outdoor first aid certification, up-to-date qualifications, and a lifelong knowledge of the area.
This is an educational walk, we won’t be harvesting our finds so please do not bring knives or other sharps with you (knife law will be discussed).
On occasion, your instructor may pick a small sample to pass around the group to smell, feel, or to illustrate identification characteristics, but otherwise please refrain from touching any plants unless advised that it is safe to do so, some can be rather nasty!
As is the nature of…well, nature…what we find and speak about on the day will be dependent on the season and weather.
On the weather – the course will go ahead in all weathers (unless so severe it would be dangerous). Refunds will, therefore, not be given due to rain or inclement but typical British weather or for bookings cancelled within 72 hours of the day of the course.
Over the course of 4-5 hours we will cover:
- Personal safety when foraging
- Foraging and the law, including the law as it pertains to knives, land access, and trespass
- Foraging ettiquette, sustainable picking & leaving no trace
- Foraging equipment
- Identification, names, & lookalikes
- Umbellifers, fungi, and spotting poisonous plants and fungi
- The secret life of trees and fungi
- Plants, flowers, and grasses for the kitchen and medicines
- Non-edible uses for wild plants
- History, folklore, and interesting facts about plants and the local area
- Basic processing/preserving techniques
- Incorporating a little of the wild into your kitchen, first aid kit, and skincare
- Recommended further reading/research if you wish to learn more
- We will taste some teas made from plants that grow in the area – please bring a cup/mug with you
- A PDF guide to foraging safely and legally, including information on common useful plants and trees will be emailed to you following the course. If you wish to receive a certificate of attendance, this can also be provided. [Please confirm your name and email address at the end of the day]
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please do consider that we will be away from facilities for several hours and walking several miles on unsurfaced paths.
I kindly request no dogs – as much as mine would love to come! This is simply to ensure the safety and comfort of all group attendees.
The walk will begin and end at a central point in the village. The exact location will be sent you after booking. We will begin at 11am and finish at around 3.30-4pm.
If you have any questions before or after booking, please get in touch via hello@feraltherapy.co.uk and I will be happy to help.
Book Now!
Wild weekends – SOLD OUT!
Our wild weekends are a great opportunity for newbies to get to grips with a variety of outdoor skills or for the more experienced outdoors person to enjoy doing what they love. They are also an opportunity to become fully immersed in nature and to reap the benefits of time in the wild. This is therapy, but not as most people think of it! Most of all it will be fun!
All weekends are fully insured. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided and dietary requirements will be catered for (please let us know!). There are 10 places available for each weekend based on two adults per pitch.
During the day all activities will be fully instructed and all equipment to carry them out will be provided. You will need to provide your own sleeping equipment, suitable clothing, toiletries, medication, and a torch – a full list is provided in the resources section.
Please remember that due to seasonal availability and the weather if it becomes extreme, activities will be subject to change but will retain the same themes and be fully interactive.
All attendees can get as involved as they wish, simply spectate or take some free time instead. No one will be asked to do anything they are not comfortable with. This includes sleeping arrangements, outdoors, in a tent or vehicle camper, the choice is completely yours.
Absolutely no experience required! Our courses are open to anyone regardless of their skill level or experience.
While we have included timings on the itineraries, these are guidelines. Nature moves slowly and we will complete activities at a pace that everyone is comfortable with, so timings are nothing more than a guide.